acute mountain sickness…

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respiratory system, high altitude cerebral edema, altitude anoxia, altitude sickness, mountain sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema, acute mountain sickness, illness, affect mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, travelers who ascend too rapidly to high altitude, above feet, 400 meters, persons who, reside at, near sea level, reduced atmospheric pressure, a lower concentration of oxygen at high altitude, illness, affects the nervous system, lungs, muscles, heart, range from mild to life-threatening, in most cases the symptoms, in severe cases fluid collects, in the lungs, pulmonary edema, causing extreme shortness of breath, further decreasing oxygenation, swelling, in the brain, cerebral edema, causing confusion, coma, untreated, death, likelihood, severity of altitude illness is greater, increasing rate of ascent, higher altitude attained, higher levels of exertion, 20% of people, develop mild symptoms at altitudes between 6, 300 to 9, 700 feet, pulmonary, cerebral edema, extremely rare at these heights, above 14, 000 feet, a majority of people, experience at least mild symptoms, 10%, 1.5%, respectively, un-acclimatized people staying at this altitude, develop pulmonary, cerebral edema, symptoms generally associated, mild to moderate altitude illness, headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, light-headedness, rapid pulse, heart rate, shortness of breath, exertion, symptoms generally associated, more severe altitude illness, cough, shortness of breath at rest, chest tightness, congestion, bluish discoloration, the skin, coughing up blood, inability to walk, straight line, to walk at, decreased consciousness, withdrawal from social interaction, confusion, gray, pale complexion, cerebral edema, listening, chest, a stethoscope, auscultation, reveals crackles, in the lung fields in patients, pulmonary edema, a chest x-ray performed, mainstay of treatment, all forms of altitude illness, descend to lower altitude, rapidly, safely, supplemental oxygen should also be administered, hospitalization required, severe illness, acetazolamide, diamox, stimulate breathing, speed acclimatization, diminish the milder symptoms of acute mountain sickness, not consume alcoholic beverages taking diamox, drink sufficient fluids, diamox increases urination, pulmonary edema is treated, oxygen, nifedipine, a high-blood pressure medication also effective, in severe cases, mechanical ventilation, cerebral edema, administration, the steroid drug dexamethasone, decadron, most cases, symptoms improve promptly, a return to lower altitude, severe cases, death, due to respiratory distress, brain swelling, cerebral edema, in remote locations, emergency evacuation, not be possible, treatment delayed, conditions could adversely affect the outcome, pulmonary edema, coma, high altitude cerebral edema, brain swelling, symptoms of acute mountain sickness develop, symptoms resolved, returning to a lower altitude, 9-1-1, seek emergency medical assistance, severe difficulty breathing develops, consciousness is decreased, coughing up blood, severe symptoms, unable to contact emergency help, descend, rapidly, safely possible, education of mountain travelers, ascent, key to prevention, basic principles, gradual ascent, stopping, two of rest, each feet, 600 meters, above feet, 400 meters, sleeping at a lower altitude, learning how to recognize early symptoms so, return to lower altitude, worsening symptoms occur, mountaineering parties traveling, above 9, 840 feet, meters, should carry an oxygen supply sufficient, several days, acetazolamide, diamox, helps to speed acclimatization, reduce minor symptoms, therapy should start one day, the ascent, continue one to two days, excursion, measure, making a rapid ascent to high altitudes, susceptible to anemia, particularly women, should consult a doctor regarding an iron supplement, the condition, traveling in high altitudes, anemic persons have a reduced red blood cell count, a lower amount, oxygen, carried, in the blood, drink sufficient fluids, avoid alcohol, eat regularly, foods, relatively high in carbohydrates, underlying cardiac, pulmonary, lung, diseases should avoid high altitudes.